Doha: Qatar’ Al Ahli SC announced the signings of Netherlands international Nigel de Jong and Islamic Republic of Iran’s Omid Ebrahimi from 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Esteghlal FC respectively on Wednesday.

The Amsterdam-born de Jong made his professional debut with Ajax Amsterdam, spending much of his youth there before moving up to the senior team in 2002.

de Jong’s career then brought him around the globe as he then moved to Germany, playing for Hamburger SV for four years, and to Manchester City where he assisted the club to an FA Cup title in 2011 and the English Premier League 2011-12 crown, as well as the FA Community Shield in 2012.

The 33-year-old struck a three-year-deal with Italy’s AC Milan in 2012 and then spent a short stint in the United States with LA Galaxy before transferring to Turkey’s Galatasaray SK in 2016 on a two-year contract.

He is highly regarded back home after helping the Netherlands finish second in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, losing 1-0 to Spain and a third place finish at the next edition in Brazil.

de Jong will be joined in the midfield by Ebrahimi, who has only previously played in IR Iran. He began in the second division league with FC Shahrdari Bandar Abbas, before making waves in the Iran Pro League with Sepahan SC in 2010 and Esteghlal FC in 2014, where he was named Midfielder of the Year in 2016 and 2017.

Now 30, Ebrahimi was called up to join Team Melli by Carlos Queiroz in 2012. He featured in all three of IR Iran’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group B campaign.